Automobile hood clamp



Oct' 11 1927' L. c. VANDERLIP AUTOMOBILE HOOD CLAMP Filed April 20, 1927 Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES LOUIS C. VANDERLIP, OF ELKHART, INDIANA.

AUTOMOBILE HOOD CLAMP.

Application led April 20, 1927. Serial No. 185,122.

The invention relates to motor car engine hoods, and especially to the hold-down clamp therefor.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an automobile hood clamp which combines both a hold-down element and means for effecting a positive side thrust on the hood to prevent rattling of the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and effective hood clamping device comprising a hold-down clamp and resilient actuating means for projecting the clamp unit toward the hood to effect a side thrust thereon.

A third and more specific object of the` invention is to provide an improved clamping device for a motor car hood and comprising a resilient hold-down clamp, and cani means for laterally actuating the clamp unit into contact with the hood. Other and more specific objects of the invention are mentioned and described herein.

The preferredembodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 represents a side elevation illustrating the invention in operative position in relation to a motor car hood; Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmental view illustrating` the position of the parts when the clamp is disconnected from the hood and depressed; Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 illust-rates a modification.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views on the drawing.

Referring to the details of Figures l to 4 in the drawing the numeral 1 indicates the usual automobile frame element on which the usual hood abutment element 2 is rigidly mounted to limit the inward movement of the engine hood elem-ent 3. The numeral 4 indicates the usual strap keeper rigidly secured to the exterior of the hood 3 above the frame 1, as is well known in the art. which keeper may be in any suitable forni, and which is adapted to be engaged by the hook of the hold-down clamp. as hereinafter described. l

In devices of this character it is ot great importance that the hood clamp effecttwo functions, vizzthe resilient pull-down on the hood keeper 4 and an inward lateral pressure or thrust on the hood 3 to project and maintain the latter in contact with the abutment 2 in order to eifectually eliminate rattling of the hood. To accomplish an effective side thrust on the hood positive means are employed in this invention, whereby the clamp unit is positively actuated against the hood and held in that position so long as the pulldown element is connected with the hood keeper, as hereinafter described.

The numeral 5 indicates. generally the clamp unit which may comprise y the usual spring barrel 6, into which the spring rod longitudinali extends through the lower end 8 thereof; the head 9 rigidly secured in the open top end of said barrel, said head including the usual hook 10, for connection with the keeper 4, and the handle 11; and the usual coil spring 12 encompassing the rod 7l within the barrel 6 and'seated on rod head 13 and barrel end wall 8. The lower end of the spring rod 7 may be provided with the bearing head 14 which may be pro` vided with an velongated slot 15 which 1 ay extend'at right angles to the axis of the rod 7. A bearing pin 16 extends through and transversely of the head Slot 15 and may have its opposite ends carried inl the opposedand spaced prongs 17, 17 of the bearing bracket 18, the latter of which may be secured to the frame 1 by bolts 19. Prefer` ably the head 14 of rod 7 has a snug slidable engagement between the two prongs 17. whereby torsional movement of the rod and said `rod head is effectually prevented, said prongs serving as guides for the head 14 when the latter is projected slidably toward the hood 3, as herein set forth.

Obviously, when the spring 12is compressed within the barrel 6 by upward draft on handle 11 and hook 10 is connected with the keeper 4, the clamp unit 5 functions as a resilient hold-down clamp for the hood 3. the urge thereof being substantially in a ver tical plane.

The numeral 2O represents a cam element. which may be made of flat spring steel, and which may have its base portion 2'?. disposed beneath the bracket 18 and secured therewith to frame 1 by the bolts 19. The spring cam 20 is adapted to resiliently bear against the outer end of the rod head 14 when the clamp unit 5 is raised to the upright opel ative position for connection with the keeper 4, whereby the head 14, and thereby the lower end of the clamp unit 5. is slidably and inwardly projected on pin 16 toward the hood 3, and the opposite, or inner. end of said head may contact with a' rubber, or

yieldable, butter 21 secured to the exterior of said hood in theI path of movement of said rod head.

When the clamp unit 5 is disengaged from the keeper 4 and lowered, or depressed, F 1g. 3, the rod head 14 will slide downward Somewhat on pin 16 and the cam spring 20 may then bear against the bracket prongs 17. When the operator grasps the clamp handle 11 and begins to swing the clamp unit to an upright position, preparatory to engaging hook 1() with the keeper 4, the' cam action of element 20 begins to assert itself on the outer end of the rod head 14, and continues during the upward swing of said clamp unit, reaching its maximum urge or pressure on said head 14 as the hook 10 is connected with said keeper.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing the yieldable buer 21 is elevated somewhat Yand shaped to accord with the contour of the barrel 6 by which it is engaged as'the clamp unit is swung inwardly by the cam actiondescribed. I

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to a slot and pin bearing .at the lower end of rod 7, but thatv other suitable means, aording pivotal and slidable action thereof, may be used in comblnation with cam means.

1. In an automobile hood clamp, the combination with a hood provided with a keeper, of a spring actuated hold-down clamp unit adapted for connection with said keeper, said clamp unit including a spring pressed element which is pivotal-ly mounted in a base element, said spring pressed element being also mounted to slide toward the hood, and cam means operative upon and by 'oscillation of said clamp unit for slidably moving the lower end of said clamp unit toward the hood, and thereby causing said spring pressed element to engage the hood.

2. In an automobile hood clamp, the combination of a spring actuated hold-down clamp including a casing, a spring therein, and a rod within the casing, pressed by said spring and projecting therefrom, a bearing element, means for pivotally and slidably mounting said clamp rod in said bearing element, whereb it is slidably movable toward the hood, an cam means engageable by the base of said rod as the clamp unit is swung from a depressed to an upright position for moving said 4clamp unit base toward the hood.

3. In an automobile hood clamp, the combination of a spring actuated hold-down clamp including a casing, a spring therein, and a rod pressed by said spring, said'rod rojecting to the exterior of said casing and iiaving lits lower end provided with a slot which extends transversely of the rod axis, means engaging said rod slot for pivotally and slidably mounting the rod, and cam means for actuating the rod, and thereby the clamp unit, toward the hood.

4. A combined hold-down and side engaghook, a spring casing, a spring therein, a 4

rod in said casing, pressed by said s ring and projectin through the lower end t ereof, a bearing racket, and power means dis- ]oined from said spring for actuating said spring rod, and thereby the clamp unit base, toward and a ainst the engine hood side, said means inc uding a slot and pin connection between the rod and said bracket, and a cam.

6. A combined hold-down and side engaging clamp for an engine hood including a spring to yieldinofly maintain the upper end of the clamp with the hood, and a cam and sliding connection for the clamp base to actuate the clamp base against t e hood, the action of said cam being independent of the action of said spring.

7. In an automobile hood clamp the combination with a hood provided with a keeper, of a spring actuated hold-down clamp adapted to engage said hood keeper, said clamp including a casing, a sprin within the casing, a rod pressed by sai spring and projecting through the base of the casing, said rod bein provided with base portion having an e ongated slot extending transversely of the rod aXis,.a rod bearing, a pin in said bearing engagin said slot and upon which the rod base is slidable toward the hood, a cam for actuatin the rod base toward the hood when the c amp unit is elevated, and a buier interposed between the clamp unit and the hood.

8. In an automobile hood clamp, the combination with a hood provided with .a keeper, of a spring actuated hold-down clamp adapted to engage said hood keeper, said clamp including a casing, a sprinr within the casing, a rod pressed by said spring and projecting through the base of the casing, said rod being provided with an enlarged base portion, an elongated slot formed in said rod base, said slot extending transversely of the rod axis, a bearing bracket, a pin in said bracket and en aging the slot in the rod base and upon whlch the rod base is slidable toward the hood, a cam for actuating the rod base toward the hood when the clamp unit is raised from a depressed to an elevated position, means for guiding the rod base in a rectilinear path toward the hood, and a buffer interposed between the hood and clamp unit.

9. In an automobile hood clamp, the combination with a hood provided with a keeper, of a spring actuated hold-down olainp adapted to engage said hood keeper, said hold-down clamp including a casing, a spring within the casing, a rod ressed by said spring and projecting throug the base of the casing, said rod being provided witli an enlarged base portion which is 'provided with a slot extending transversely of the rod axis, a bearing bracket, a pin in said bracket and engaging the slot in said rod base and upon which the rod base is pivotally and slidably mounted, a cam element adaped to engage said rod base for actuating the latter toward the hood when the clamp unit is raised from a depressed to an elevatedV position, means forming a` part ot' said bearing bracket for gudin said rod base in a rectilinear path towar LOUIS C. VANDERLIP.

the hood, fand a. buffer interposed between the clamp 

